Proverbs

Solomon the king wrote most of the book of Proverbs, though other writers are identified in the book (see outline below). It is recorded that on his ascension to the throne, God appeared to Solomon and gave him wisdom and understanding, I Kgs. 4:29-34.

Author & date

Solomon the king wrote most of the book of Proverbs, though other writers are identified in the book (see outline below). It is recorded that on his ascension to the throne, God appeared to Solomon and gave him wisdom and understanding, I Kgs. 4:29-34.

Outline

A. Proverbs of Solomon (1) Ch.1-9

1. Purpose Ch.1:1-7
2. Instructions to a son Ch.1;8-7:27

• My son…
  a) hear the instruction of thy father Ch.1: 8
  b) if sinners entice thee consent not Ch.1:10
  c) walk not thou in the way with them Ch.1:15
  d) if thou wilt receive my words… Ch.2:1
  e) forget not my law Ch.3:1
  f) despise not the chastening of the Lord Ch.3:10
  g) let not them depart from thine eyes Ch.3:21
  h) hear…and receive my sayings Ch.4:10
  i) attend to my words Ch.4:20
  j) attend to my wisdom Ch.5:1
  k) why wilt thou …be ravished by a strange woman? Ch.5:20
  l) if thou be surety … thou art snared… Ch.6:1
  m) do this…and deliver thy soul Ch.6:3
  n) keep thy father’s commandments Ch.6:20
  o) keep my words Ch.7:1

3. The wisdom of God Ch.8-9

• See I Cor.1:24
  a) Wisdom’s invitation Ch.8:1-11
  b) Wisdom’s pre-eminence Ch.8:12-22
  c) Wisdom’s appointment Ch.8:23-36
  d) Wisdom’s building Ch.9:1-6
  e) How to have wisdom Ch.9:7-18
  f) Results of rejecting Wisdom Ch.1:32-3

B. Proverbs of Solomon (2) Ch.10-24

1. Mainly a contrast between teh righteous and wicked.

C. Proverbs of Solomon (3) Ch.25-29

1. The King Ch.25:1-8
2. The neighbour Ch.25:9-28
3. The fool Ch.26:1-12
4. The slothful Ch.26:13-16
5. The meddler Ch.26:17-28
6. Boast not… Ch.27:1-2
7. The friend Ch.27:3-10
8. My son be wise…. Ch.27:11-27
9. The ways of the wicked Ch28
10. The righteous as opposed to the wicked Ch.29

D. Proverbs of Agur Ch.30

1. The word of God Ch.30:1-6
2. Two things required Ch.30:7-15a
3. Four things not satisfied Ch.30:15b-17
4. Four  things too wonderful Ch.30 18-20
5. Four things for which the earth is disquiet Ch.30:21-23
6. Four  things that are little, but wise Ch.30:24-28
7. Four things that go well Ch.30:29-31
8. Conclusion Ch.30:32-33

E. Proverbs of Lemel’s mother Ch.31

1. Give not thy strength…. Ch.31:1-9
2. The virtuous woman Ch.31:10-31

Notes

a. Background

Solomon the king wrote most of the book of Proverbs , though other writers are identified in the book.

It is recorded that on his ascension to the throne, God appeared to Solomon and gave him wisdom and understanding, I Kgs. 4:29-34. Solomon wrote 3000 proverbs I Kgs.4:32 and set in order many proverbs Eccl.12:9,

We see the greatness of Solomon’s wisdom in its:

1. Source I Kgs.4:29

2. Stature I Kgs. 4:30-31

3. Summation I Kgs. 4:32

4. Sway I Kgs. 4:33-34

b. The NT revelation

Proverbs, like the rest of the OT, cannot be properly understood without the full revelation of the NT.

In particular the fact that a greater than Solomon has come, Mtt.12:42, and  Jesus is the wisdom of God I Cor.1:24.